Dr. Oscar van Heerden, Senior Researcher at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership, has weighed in on South Africa’s ongoing immigration challenges, emphasizing that while recent presidential remarks addressed key concerns, effective implementation remains the critical test.
According to van Heerden, the President “said all the right things” in a recent national address, appealing both to South Africans to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to treat foreign nationals with dignity, and to foreign nationals to comply with South African immigration laws. The President also outlined government departmental plans to curb illegal immigration.
However, van Heerden noted that similar assurances were made following unrest in 2019, yet the challenges persist. “The proof is in the pudding,” he stated, stressing that sustainable implementation—not just policy announcements—is essential. He highlighted the absence of concrete timeframes, noting that some proposed measures still require parliamentary approval, a process of uncertain duration.
The researcher described immigration management as a multi-dimensional issue involving numerous state departments. He pointed to the logistical and financial strain of deportations, citing the recent deportation of approximately 46,000 undocumented individuals at a cost of millions of rand, only for porous borders to allow returns within weeks. While acknowledging repatriation efforts by countries like Ghana, van Heerden referenced public skepticism that some individuals might use such flights for temporary travel before returning to South Africa.
A central theme of van Heerden’s analysis was systemic corruption. He identified border posts like Beitbridge as locations where corrupt practices undermine official efforts, alleging that officials sometimes demand bribes—described as “money in passports”—to facilitate entry. He called on Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the South African Police Service, and the National Defence Force to “get their act together” in fulfilling their border protection mandates.
On resource constraints, van Heerden noted the Border Management Authority is reportedly operating at only 25% capacity. He advocated for technological solutions to augment human resources, specifically recommending investment in drone technology for 24/7 monitoring of vast border areas like those adjacent to Kruger National Park, as a potentially more efficient alternative to extensive physical fencing.
Addressing regional dynamics, van Heerden called for “honest conversation” across the African continent. He argued that engaging neighboring states must include candid discussions about root causes, citing Zimbabwe as an example where he believes the policies and governance of the ZANU-PF government contribute significantly to citizen displacement. He also expressed caution about the planned deployment of 10,000 labor inspectors to monitor local employment, warning that without integrity measures, such initiatives could be vulnerable to the same corrupt practices.
Looking ahead, van Heerden emphasized the need for meaningful engagement with all stakeholders, including protest groups who have referenced a June 30 deadline. While affirming the right to legal protest, he stated that actions involving property destruction or violence against individuals would rightly prompt law enforcement intervention to restore order.
“The President’s address must now see the light of day,” van Heerden concluded, underscoring that adequate funding and coordinated action across departments are indispensable for translating policy into tangible results on border security, corruption, and sustainable migration management.
